A rapidly spreading wildfire surged by nearly half in just 24 hours as it advanced toward Reno, Nevada, forcing evacuation zones to widen in the direction of the city while fire crews raced to slow the flames.
The Hawk Fire had burned 15,040 acres by Sunday afternoon, one day after it was first reported northwest of Reno — known as “The Biggest Little City in the World” — according to 8 News Now.
Containment remained at 0%, intensifying concerns as officials expanded evacuation areas to the south and east and urged residents in threatened communities to leave immediately.
Washoe County’s sheriff said the wildfire was sparked by human activity and advised roughly 90,000 people to evacuate, the Associated Press reported.
The rapid escalation began Saturday morning, when the fire was first detected around 11:30 a.m. near Hawk Meadow Trail, about a mile north of Cold Creek Trail in the Somersett area northwest of Reno.
By the end of Saturday, wind-driven flames had pushed north and scorched 10,523 acres. Another roughly 4,500 acres burned by Sunday, raising the total footprint to 15,040 acres.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency Saturday night as the firefighting response expanded to about 800 personnel on the ground.
By Sunday evening, the growing wildfire emergency was disrupting daily life across the Reno area as residents watched evacuation orders and warnings spread closer to home.
Washoe County canceled Monday classes as evacuations increased and officials sought to keep roads clear for emergency crews.
“The decision to close schools is due to evacuations, impacts on regional public safety resources, and to help keep roads clear for emergency vehicles,” the school district said in a social media post.
Only students in Gerlach, about 100 miles northeast, were expected to head to class as usual.
The University of Nevada, Reno was staying open, telling students its campus remained safely outside both evacuation and “Get Ready” zones.
“The University remains safe and is not located within an evacuation zone or a ‘Get Ready’ (Yellow) evacuation zone. The University has established emergency response and evacuation plans in place should conditions change,” UNR said.
The school said that support, guidance, and other resources were available to students directly affected by the wildfire.
The flames also disrupted a major route through the region, with U.S. 395 remaining closed in several areas Sunday.
Southbound drivers were turned around at the California border, while northbound traffic was blocked between Parr Boulevard and Red Rock Road. Southbound U.S. 395 remained open from Red Rock Road into Reno, 8 News Now reported.
As the evacuation footprint widened, the American Red Cross of Nevada opened a shelter at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, while Washoe County began helping evacuees at the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center.
The emergency even prompted residents in Reno and Carson City to take to social media, offering space and assistance to families trying to get their horses out of the fire’s path.
